WWII German Feldpost Postmark Letter 1943 Russia Front to Annexed Alsace Eschau

Item Specifics

Country

Russia

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Grade: Ungraded
Address Verification: Sender: "Abs: Soldat K. Petermann" (Sender: Soldier K. Petermann). The letter itself is dated from "Russland" (Russia), indicating the soldier was likely on the Eastern Front. This is plausible for a German soldier in April 1943. Recipient: "Familie R. Petermann, 250 Karl-Roos Strasse, Eschau im Elsass, bei Strassburg" (Family R. Petermann, 250 Karl Roos Street, Eschau in Alsace, near Strasbourg). Eschau, Alsace: This town exists near Strasbourg. During WWII (1940-1944), Alsace was de facto annexed by Germany. Karl-Roos-Strasse: Karl Roos was an Alsatian autonomist executed by the French in 1940. Naming a street after him during the German annexation period is highly plausible as he was seen by the Nazis as a martyr for the German cause in Alsace. While the specific street name might not exist today or be easily verifiable on modern maps, its existence during that period is historically credible. Combined Translation: (Start of Letter - To Mother) Russia, April 16, 1943 Dear Mommy, Received your dear letters from the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th of April '43 with great joy, many thanks for them. It really calmed me down again to receive some words from you. Well, how are you actually doing with your health? Hopefully, things have improved quite a bit again, because you shouldn't get sick, otherwise I'll have worries again when I come home to live well again. So, I must [accept] that we all still have little joy in life. I am still doing well health-wise, otherwise, it's all the same shit. Yes, that's how it is. I believe you, though, just as you think of me, my thoughts are certainly with you. I must [accept] that you have a mother's heart and feel along, but we can only see each other again. How we all want that. The poor fallen comrade also wanted that and had bad luck two hours before. Families who only have girls can understand something like that... ...more than you understood back then when I left. Do ask Tante L. [or similar name, "Tassel"?] if she would do you the favor, as such a good acquaintance of Father Eli, a former work colleague. Times change colossally. Yes, although we were more brothers, they unfortunately had the bad luck already. I can be glad that I have never fallen into it [been hit/captured?] in my service, as it has already been a matter of minutes. Yes, that's why always the fear; even if a bullet hits, it's not so bad, only if you are hit in such a way that you are dead on the spot, and that's what I always fear. Now let's hope for the best, and answer... [end of thought/page] L. M. [Liebe Mutter?] 17.4.43. Dear Mother, Also, a few more good words for you. Firstly, I hope that you are healthy again, really healthy and cheerful. I thank you again for the work that you gladly undertake even when baking the parcels. Yes, that is invaluable, one simply cannot say, it comes so completely without thinking about it when you just write to me. So I... ...cannot understand today that Mommy could separate from a beloved child back then. Also, for me, the tears want to flow. May God protect us all. Nobody will be shown [spared?]. They come and don't ask. Therefore, the fear is everywhere, etc. I wish you too a beautiful and Happy Easter. For me, it is all a worry in our sense. In the field, one may not think much about the reason anymore. So now, be heartily greeted and kissed once more, Your Son Roger (Section Written to Father) Russia, April 17, 1943 Dear Daddy, Received your letter with very great joy yesterday, thank you for it. It certainly pleased me that you also wrote me a few words again. Well, otherwise the main thing is that Mother is better again when it just stays that way. Believe me, dear Father, I have now seen what parents endure. I will need you for a long time when I pass [survive?]. Luckily, I am allowed to see the homeland again and stay with you again forever, like before the war. We are... ...greeted mildly [? - "mild begrüßen" - context unclear, perhaps referring to how parents greet returning children despite worries?]. They also just have such worries and sorrows to deal with for their children. In any case, a person who can lose [something/someone?] in the field is already quite something else. I am just glad that the leave is now so close. You also attached June's suggestions so reliably. The sewing machine for a good jacket, otherwise everything is for nothing. I also have quite weak [sensations?] and would just like to know what that is in the legs and arms, in the back [joints?]. Yesterday I also had such a day again, otherwise, I could have taken the leave with joy. Could I just do that. As a brother, I would certainly do everything so that you would be healthy again and nurse you like the sister nursed the sick one. Well, now if you think I can't possibly write, I think it was Father's duty and he will also do it for the fallen one. He is also a chosen person, must do everything, unfortunately, it cannot be changed now. Well, hopefully, he is doing well with his workplace, doesn't come anywhere near a bunker. There are so many on it [in danger?] who don't... ...get hit by a bullet, but I love [fear? - "liebe Angst" - likely means 'I am very afraid'] I'll be dead right away with the first one, because one isn't just wounded in the process. Have forced the parents [of fallen comrade?] to raise a son and later didn't know what the Bäumert [? - unclear name/word] does everything unwillingly. I wanted the leave later with only you also sometimes spoiled. Since everything can happen, I cannot forget. It just comes so punctually, please forgive me again for not taking it so badly, to have caused you so many worries. I am still not so hard, but still have no more decency [? - "Anstand" - contextually difficult, maybe 'composure' or 'self-control'?] what is greatest is only needed here for military use. So the custom [usefulness?] I need but unfortunately not so quickly, as it is not my profession. Yes, hopefully... ...that we can be together again this year towards Christmas. I would like the time to come already. It's not because I just want to make myself a nice [time?]. No, well dear Father, I think of you daily, like Mother, everything else has no purpose for me anymore. Be now heartily greeted and kissed many times, Your Son Roger Brief Summary: This is a multi-page German Feldpost letter written in April 1943 by soldier Roger (K.) Petermann from the Eastern Front ("Russland") to his family in Eschau, Alsace (then annexed by Germany). The letter, sent via military mail and postmarked April 17, 1943, contains personal messages reassuring his family of his well-being, acknowledging their letters, expressing his longing for home and family, discussing his anxieties about the war, and wishing them Happy Easter. Travel Distance: Origin: "Russland" (Eastern Front). This is geographically vague. For estimation, we can assume a location in the central or southern sector of the front active in Spring 1943, perhaps near Orel or Smolensk, Russia. Destination: Eschau, Alsace, France (near Strasbourg). Estimated Distance: Using Google Maps, the approximate distance from a central point like Smolensk, Russia, to Eschau, France, is roughly 2,100 - 2,200 kilometers (approx. 1300-1370 miles).

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